Father Arrested For Tattooing Gun Logo On Daughter’s Wrist

Richland County, SC – A father was recently arrested for giving his daughter a tattoo. At home. Without a license. And if any of you were wondering if this guy has any common sense, just wait until to hear what he tattooed on the 14-year-old’s wrist: “Daddy’s Girl.” Oh, and the Browning gun firm logo.

Maybe his daughter wanted the tattoo. Maybe they really like guns, and she really is a Daddy’s girl. But that’s not the point in this case. The point is this: Parents are supposed to be adults. We are not supposed to be our kids best friend — or tattoo artist, as it were. This father should have had the common sense to know that tattooing a 14-year-old is definitely not the wisest parenting decision ever made.

It would be a completely different matter if the girl was 18-years-old, a self-proclaimed Daddy’s girl, who chose to get the tattoo from a licensed tattoo artist. If that artist happened to be her father, that could have been a great story, even a bonding moment. But for a father to brand his child — when she’s really too young to understand what “forever” means — it’s just a little disturbing. I’m not sure if he got the memo, but tattoos are permanent. And really expensive and painful to remove.

While I have nothing against tattoos (and sport a few myself), they are a big deal. Tattoos can prevent you from getting a job; they have to be covered up in many situations and should be gotten only after some mature, adult thought and consideration.

And, suffice to say, a father who would illegally tattoo his daughter (who is still in junior high, by the way) lacked just a bit of maturity.

Of course, Victor Shane Scroggins was also illegally tattooing other people without a certificate in his South Carolina home. So maybe he’s not the best judge of what is wise. Tattoo artists must have a certificate from the Department of Health and Environment Control before opening a tattoo business.

Scroggins, 39, turned himself into police after deputies received tips that he had been illegally tattooing people in his Richland County home. Scroggins is charged with tattoo of a minor, unlawful neglect of a child and not having a required certificate. He is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County’s Sheriff Department says, “You should never take getting a tattoo lightly. Know the risks. Tattoos breach the skin which means infections and other complications are possible.”

Scroggins is not the first parent to tattoo their child. Another South Carolina parent was arrested last year for tattooing a small heart on her 11-year-old’s shoulder “because she asked me to.” Really, parents, there is a time when it’s okay to say “no.” Hint: when your child wants a permanent scar needled into their skin — and they are so far under the age of 18 that they have to ask you to illegally do it for them — that’s an appropriate time.

Would you let your teenager get a tattoo?

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